Imagine this: you’ve poured your heart into a brilliant design, a stunning photograph, or even a detailed blueprint. You can’t wait to see it printed, big and bold. But then you hit a wall. Your standard printer can’t handle the size. You’re stuck with a design that’s too big for a regular sheet, or you have to piece together multiple pages, and it just doesn’t look right. It’s a frustrating feeling, right?
This is where the magic of an 11×17 printer comes in. These printers are lifesavers for anyone who needs to print larger documents, posters, or even just wants to enjoy their photos in a bigger format. But with so many different brands and features out there, figuring out which one is best for *you* can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. You want something that prints clearly, doesn’t cost a fortune, and is easy to use. Finding that perfect balance can be tricky.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! This guide is here to cut through all the confusion. We’ll explore what makes a great 11×17 printer and help you understand the key things to look for. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel confident in choosing a printer that fits your needs and budget, and you’ll be ready to bring your big ideas to life without any printing headaches.
Our Top 5 11X17 Printer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 11X17 Printer Detailed Reviews
1. Brother INKvestment Tank Color All in One Printer for Small Business with 11 x 17 in Scanning
Rating: 9.1/10
This Brother INKvestment Tank Color All in One Printer (MFC-J6955DW) is a powerhouse designed to boost your small business. It tackles all your printing, scanning, copying, and faxing needs with professional quality and impressive ink savings. Get ready to print more and worry less about running out of ink.
What We Like:
- The INKvestment Tank system means you get up to a year of ink included, saving you money and hassle.
- Triple-layer security keeps your important business papers safe and your network protected.
- You can connect in many ways: dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, or USB.
- The 11 x 17 inch scan glass is great for handling large documents, photos, or blueprints.
- The 3.5 inch color touchscreen makes it easy to use and check ink levels.
- Wireless printing from your phone or tablet is a breeze with the Brother Genuine Mobile Connect App.
What Could Be Improved:
- The initial cost might be higher than basic printers, but the ink savings make up for it over time.
- While it handles large scans, the physical size of the printer itself might require ample desk space.
This printer is a smart investment for any small business needing reliable, high-quality printing with added security and convenience. It’s built to handle your workload and keep costs down.
2. Brother MFC-J5340DW Professional Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
Rating: 9.2/10
The Brother MFC-J5340DW is a powerful all-in-one printer designed for busy professionals. It handles everyday tasks with ease and offers advanced features for bigger projects. This printer lets you print, copy, scan, and fax, making it a central hub for your office needs.
What We Like:
- It prints super fast, up to 28 pages per minute, so you won’t wait long for your documents.
- You can print on large 11″ x 17″ paper, which is great for presentations and plans.
- It has a big paper tray that holds 250 sheets, so you refill it less often.
- Printing from your phone or tablet is easy with its wireless and mobile app options.
- It connects to your network in many ways, including Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
- Security features help keep your important information safe.
- It works with Alexa, letting you manage printing with voice commands.
What Could Be Improved:
- The initial setup can be a bit tricky for some users.
- Ink cartridges can be a bit pricey, adding to the running cost.
The Brother MFC-J5340DW is a fantastic choice for anyone needing a reliable and feature-rich printer. It’s a smart investment for a productive workspace.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e Wide Format Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.9/10
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e Wide Format Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a powerful tool designed for busy offices. It handles printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing with ease. This printer is perfect for creating vibrant color documents like floor plans, mood boards, and spreadsheets, offering screen-accurate colors thanks to its P3 color gamut. It’s built for efficiency with fast printing speeds and convenient features like an automatic document feeder and duplex printing.
What We Like:
- Prints stunning, true-to-screen color documents with its P3 color gamut.
- Offers fast printing speeds of up to 18 ppm in color and 22 ppm in black.
- Includes convenient features like an auto document feeder and auto two-sided printing.
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi keeps you connected and resolves issues automatically.
- The HP app makes printing, scanning, copying, and faxing from your smartphone simple.
- Comes with a 3-month HP Instant Ink trial for hassle-free ink delivery.
- Built-in HP Wolf Pro Security protects your data and network from cyber threats.
- A large 4.3-inch touchscreen with a phone-like interface makes navigation easy.
- Features a sustainable design using over 30% recycled plastic.
What Could Be Improved:
- This printer only works with HP cartridges that have HP chips or circuitry.
- Future firmware updates may continue to block non-HP cartridges.
This printer is a solid choice for offices needing high-quality, wide-format color printing and a range of essential office functions. Its advanced features and security make it a smart investment for productivity.
4. Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Printer with Print up to 13″ x 19″
Rating: 8.6/10
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 is a powerful printer built for busy homes and small offices. It can print large documents up to 13″ x 19″, making it great for projects that need more space. This printer also saves you time with its fast printing speeds and ability to print on both sides of the paper automatically.
What We Like:
- It prints big! You can print posters or presentations up to 13″ x 19″.
- It prints super fast, so you won’t have to wait long for your documents.
- The ink dries right away, so you don’t have to worry about smudges.
- It’s built tough for lots of printing.
- It holds a lot of paper, with two big trays, so you can print more without refilling.
- You can easily control it using its color screen or the handy Epson Smart Panel App on your phone or tablet.
- It’s easy to connect to your Wi-Fi and print wirelessly from anywhere.
- It’s ready to print right away with no warm-up time.
What Could Be Improved:
- You must use only Epson ink cartridges. Using other brands might damage the printer and won’t be covered by the warranty.
This printer is a fantastic choice for anyone who needs to print large documents quickly and reliably. Its user-friendly features and robust design make it a valuable addition to any workspace.
5. Brother MFC-J5855DW INKvestment Tank Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with up to 1 Year of Ink in-box1 and to 11” x 17” Printing Capabilities
Rating: 9.5/10
The Brother MFC-J5855DW INKvestment Tank Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer is a powerful and versatile machine designed to handle all your printing, copying, scanning, and faxing needs. It’s built for busy homes and small offices, offering convenience and cost savings.
What We Like:
- Up to 1 Year of Ink Included: This printer comes with enough ink to last about a year. You won’t have to buy new ink cartridges very often.
- Large Paper Printing: It can print documents as big as 11″ x 17″. This is great for presentations or posters.
- Fast and Tough Printing: The Brother MAXIDRIVE inkjet technology makes it quick and strong. It’s made for printing a lot of pages with good quality.
- Many Ways to Connect: You can connect it wirelessly through Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct. It also has Ethernet and USB options. You can even print or scan from your phone using the Brother Mobile Connect App.
- Easy-to-Use Touchscreen: The 3.5-inch color touchscreen makes it simple to control all the printer’s functions.
- Security and Savings: It has strong security features to keep your documents safe. Eco and Ink Save Modes, plus printing on both sides of the paper, help save ink and paper.
What Could Be Improved:
- Initial Setup: Some users might find the initial setup a bit complicated.
- Ink Refill Cost: While it comes with a lot of ink, the cost of replacement ink might be high for some.
This Brother printer offers a great mix of features for its price. It’s a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable all-in-one printer.
Your Guide to Finding the Best 11×17 Printer
Choosing an 11×17 printer can feel a little overwhelming. These printers, also known as ledger or tabloid printers, can handle larger paper sizes than regular printers. This makes them great for printing posters, blueprints, large photos, and more. Let’s dive into what you need to know to find the perfect one for you.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for an 11×17 printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Paper Size Support: This is the most obvious one! Make sure it can print on 11×17 inch paper (ledger size). Some also print even larger.
- Print Quality: Look for printers with high resolution (measured in DPI – dots per inch). Higher DPI means sharper images and text.
- Print Speed: How fast do you need your prints? Check the pages per minute (PPM) for both black and white and color.
- Connectivity: How will you connect your printer? Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. Wi-Fi is great for printing from multiple devices wirelessly.
- Ink or Toner: Inkjet printers use liquid ink, while laser printers use toner powder. Inkjets are usually better for photos, and lasers are often faster and cheaper for text.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing? Some 11×17 printers also scan, copy, and fax.
- Duplex Printing: This lets the printer automatically print on both sides of the paper, saving you time and paper.
Important Materials and Technology
The technology inside your printer affects its performance.
- Print Head (Inkjet): This is what sprays ink onto the paper. Better print heads create finer details and smoother colors.
- Ink Cartridges: Some printers have individual color cartridges, which can be more cost-effective if you only use one color a lot. Others have combined cartridges.
- Toner Cartridges (Laser): Toner is a powder that gets fused onto the paper. Laser printers are known for sharp text and fast printing.
- Paper Feed Mechanism: A good paper feed ensures that paper doesn’t jam. Look for sturdy rollers.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make your prints look amazing or not so great.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- High Resolution (DPI): As mentioned, more DPI means crisper images.
- Good Ink/Toner: High-quality ink or toner produces vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Printer Driver Software: The software that controls the printer can have settings that adjust color and sharpness.
- Premium Paper: Using photo paper for photos or heavier cardstock for posters will make a big difference.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Low Resolution: Small images or text can look blurry.
- Clogged Print Heads (Inkjet): If an inkjet printer isn’t used often, the ink can dry and clog the nozzles, leading to faded or missing lines.
- Using Cheap Paper: Thin, low-quality paper can cause ink to bleed.
- Outdated Printer Drivers: Old software might not take full advantage of the printer’s capabilities.
User Experience and Use Cases
Who uses 11×17 printers and why?
For Creatives and Designers:
Artists, graphic designers, and photographers love these printers. They can print large portfolios, mockups of designs, or even small posters. Being able to print true-to-size proofs is a huge advantage.
For Offices and Businesses:
Offices use them for presentations, large charts, spreadsheets, and architectural drawings or blueprints. They save money by printing large documents in-house instead of sending them to a print shop.
For Home Use:
If you love printing your own photos in larger formats or creating custom invitations and party decorations, an 11×17 printer is a fantastic tool. Kids can even print out large drawings or school projects.
The user experience is generally straightforward. You connect the printer, install the software, and can then print from your computer or sometimes directly from your phone or tablet. Some models have touch screens that make it easy to navigate settings.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About 11×17 Printers
Q: What is an 11×17 printer?
A: An 11×17 printer is a printer that can print on paper that is 11 inches wide and 17 inches long. This size is also called ledger or tabloid.
Q: Why would I need an 11×17 printer?
A: You would need one if you want to print large documents like posters, blueprints, large photos, or detailed graphics that won’t fit on standard letter-sized paper.
Q: Are 11×17 printers more expensive than regular printers?
A: Yes, they usually cost more because they are designed for larger paper and often have more advanced features.
Q: Can I print on 8.5×11 paper with an 11×17 printer?
A: Absolutely! You can print on any paper size that is smaller than or equal to the printer’s maximum size, including standard letter size.
Q: What is DPI?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It tells you how many tiny dots of ink or toner the printer can place in one inch. A higher DPI means a clearer and sharper image.
Q: Inkjet or Laser: Which is better for an 11×17 printer?
A: Inkjet printers are generally better for high-quality photos with smooth color gradients. Laser printers are usually faster and better for sharp text and graphics.
Q: How do I make sure my colors look right when printing large photos?
A: Use good quality photo paper and ensure your printer’s color settings are calibrated. Also, make sure the image file you are printing has a high enough resolution.
Q: Will I need special ink or toner for an 11×17 printer?
A: You will need ink or toner cartridges specifically designed for the model of your 11×17 printer. The type (inkjet or laser) will also matter.
Q: What does “all-in-one” mean for an 11×17 printer?
A: An all-in-one printer can print, scan, and copy. Some might even have fax capabilities.
Q: Is it hard to set up an 11×17 printer?
A: Most printers are designed to be user-friendly. You usually just need to connect it to your computer or network, install the software, and follow the on-screen instructions.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.